Devil’s Thumb Ranch Review - Definitely a Place to Visit

The lodge, outdoor patio and fire pit at Heck's. The Ranch's 16 cabins can be seen along the ridge, in the woods beyond

Wow, this place is fantastic! We were so pleasantly surprised at all
Devil’s Thumb Ranch has to offer to truly anyone.

The 5200 acre ranch is located in Tabernash, CO some 90 minutes north of Denver (east of Boulder) and five minutes or so from
Winter Park along the Continental Divide in the gorgeous Fraser Valley. The drive from the airport was easy, even when snow began falling near our 8,300 ft. high destination. The roads are well maintained and easy to navigate.

The Lodge and Broad Axe Barn

You’ll find adventure and fun in any season and can enjoy the great outdoors without loosing an ounce of luxury, aesthetic pleasure or warmth, here at
Devil’s Thumb Ranch. The friendly and helpful staff bring it all together making their guests feel welcomed and well taken care of anywhere you might find yourself on the property, from stables to spa and beyond.

Devil’s Thumb Ranch has a 52 room Lodge and 16 log cabins of varying size, all with spectacular views of either the meadow or the mountains.

Cabin Creek Stables

Any place on the Ranch, really one can find an amazing view, whether it be while enjoying superb fine dining and attentive service in The Ranch House Restaurant and Saloon, or enjoying a more casual, but also delicious meal at Heck’s.

Meetings, ceremonies or receptions in the Broad Axe Barn, or in the more intimate space of the Timber House, with windows all around, are graced by the beauty of the landscape through their large picture windows and are gorgeous spaces for any event, business or pleasure.

The Broad Axe Barn overlooking the mountains

Views from the Timber House with state-of-the-art AV equipment for any event.

There are several breakout rooms for small meetings and all offer state-of-the-art AV equipment and wireless Internet.

One of the Ranch's breakout rooms

There is also an outdoor ceremony site for any occasion including weddings, which cannot help but inspire with its extraordinary beauty in this natural setting.

The Continental Divide view, Ranch Creek and Meadow Pond

The décor throughout has a rustic opulence that welcomes travelers. Many rooms and every cabin have fireplaces. Most lower lodge rooms have balconies to take in the mountain air and scenery. Vaulted ceilings adorn the upper floor lodge rooms as well as the 16 cabins. The plush and cozy beds of down and big fluffy pillows and roomy bathrooms with old-fashioned style extra large “cowboy” bathtubs are inviting.

Inviting European down beds, pillows and comforters (Hypoallergenic bedding is also available upon request)

If down is not your thing, the staff will prepare the room for you using hypo-allergenic bedding. Just let them know. We found the staff always available and wanting to make our stay as comfortable and custom tailored for each guest as possible, individual or group.

Having outdoor adventure, or receiving pampering at the
Ranch Creek Spa, you have access to the finest, all while being environmentally responsible. In fact, I was happy to find out that the Ranch has one of the highest levels of environmental sustainability in the country, striving always to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. Geothermal heat is used to warm the year-round, indoor / outdoor pool and Jacuzzi and most of the buildings are kept cozy with geothermally heated floors.

Year-round, indoor / outdoor pool and Jacuzzi using geothermal heat

Beetle killed wood from the property (taken a bit at a time as not to disturb any animal migration) and other reclaimed wood was used in building and decorating throughout the Ranch, giving a charming “parkitecture” feel, responsibly. The housekeeping staff and Ranch use only environmentally friendly cleaning products and have in fact developed most of their own used at the Ranch.

Products used in the
Ranch Creek Spa are also of the finest quality, using local and organically made essential oils and products. The practitioners are highly trained, professional and all offer a wonderful variety of services.

The Ranch Creek Spa and Yoga Center

The welcoming Spa reception area

There is also a Private Party / Couples Suite with a relaxing living room with fireplace, a large couples treatment room and private restroom. Yoga and Meditation classes are offered at the Spa regularly too.

Yoga / Meditation room at the Ranch Creek Spa with balcony and more gorgeous views, of course!

Really, one could have a mini-retreat here and have a full day of self-care. Imagine that!

With so many things to do, sometimes it’s hard to choose. But be sure there’s something for everyone in any season, whether on family vacation, attending a corporate event or team building weekend, wedding or romantic getaway. For locals or those staying in Winter Park, the food in both restaurants is reason alone to come visit the Ranch, and the
Ranch Creek Spa a great excuse for anyone anytime, not to mention the pleasure of the land itself.

Inside the Day Lodge available for rental for events, meeting up with friends, lunch or a rest between activities

The Ranch also has a wine cellar, movie theatre, game room and workout room available to guests.

The wine racks are cooled geothermally, keeping the wine just right as guests are warmed with the heated floors and each other's company in this elegant space

Many more adventures can be found near
Devil’s Thumb Ranch and the Ranch Staff will happily arrange activities at: any of the 3 Championship Golf Courses; Winter Park Resort and Sol Vista for Alpine Skiing or Snowboarding; Rocky Mountain National Park. They can also set up; White Water Rafting; Dog Sledding and Hot Air Ballooning.

The Lodge, Broad Axe Barn, Timber House, Ranch House Restaurant and Saloon, Yurt (for warming up and waxing skiis or for small breakout meetings), Ceremony Site and Ranch Creek Spa & Yoga Center. The fields are covered in chamomile flowers and Ranch Creek flows by. The entire property uses geothermal heating (and cooling in the Wine Cellar) radiating heat through the floors throughout the property. Yum